The Ework Barometer2018

Content

Results from the survey of 2018

About the Ework Barometer

The Ework Barometer is the leading survey of the consultant market in the Nordic region. The participating consultants are mainly residents of the four Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland Norway and Sweden. Hence it offers a unique insight into the situation in the northern European consultant market.

Ework Group has the largest network of consultants in the Nordic market, consisting of specialists in IT/telecom, engineering and business development. Within this network the Ework Barometer survey has been conducted since 2005. The survey provides detailed information regarding the consultants’ perception of the market and its future.

Data was collected through survey interviews in January and February 2018. The basic structure of the survey is the same over time which allows comparison between surveys. This report is a summary of the results of the 2018 Ework Barometer.

(Figures in parenthesis refer to the results of the previous Ework Barometer from May 2017.)

Summary

Thriving optimism

According to The Ework Barometer there are very few signs indicating that the Nordic consultancy business is slowing down. 71 (68) percent of the consultants have successfully managed to increase their hourly rates within the last 2 years. The average rate was 97 euro per hour, due to exchange rates the same as the previous year. 38 (38) percent of the consultants are expecting to raise their hourly rates within the next 12 months. Only 3.2 (5.1) percent of the consultants are fearing for lower hourly rates. The group with the lowest hourly rates, under 70 euro, comprises 15 (16) percent of the consultants. At the same time, the segment consisting of the most expensive consultants (rates above 150 euro per hour) grew from 4.6 to 5.2 percent. percent.

The average capacity utilization among the participants in the Barometer remains at 85 percent. 90 (89) percent of the consultants have experienced unchanged or increased capacity utilization during the last 12 months.

The optimisms among participants regarding the market outlook also thrive. Every other consultant, 51 (54) percent, expects the market for general consultancy services to grow over the next 12 months. Only 8.5 (7.7) percent expect a weaker market.

Demand

What do you think about the development over the next 12 months regarding demand for consulting services in general?

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

Decreases much

0,0%

0,7%

0,6%

0,8%

Decreases some

9,6%

3,7%

2,8%

8,2%

Unchanged

23,1%

28,9%

38,6%

43,2%

Increases some

56,7%

58,5%

48,0%

43,1%

Increases much

10,6%

8,2%

10,1%

4,8%

By group

IT/Telecoms

Technology

Business development

Decreases much

0,5%

1,6%

0,2%

Decreases some

7,3%

8,8%

7,7%

Unchanged

44,0%

41,0%

41,0%

Increases some

43,4%

42,1%

46,2%

Increases much

4,8%

6,5%

4,9%

How will the demand in your area of expertise develop over the next 12 months?

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

Decreases much

0,0%

1,6%

0,6%

0,4%

Decreases some

7,0%

3,2%

6,0%

5,6%

Unchanged

37,0%

27,2%

26,4%

37,8%

Increases some

39,0%

56,0%

44,9%

45,7%

Increases much

17,0%

12,0%

22,2%

10,5%

By group

IT/Telecoms

Technology

Business development

Decreases much

0,3%

0,9%

0,0%

Decreases some

5,1%

6,0%

5,3%

Unchanged

36,8%

36,1%

38,8%

Increases some

47,2%

44,7%

45,8%

Increases much

10,7%

12,3%

10,1%

As always, the respondents are more positive when forecasting the market for their own area of expertise. The optimists, saying that the demand for consultancy in their own area will increase, now comprises 58 (61) percent.

Accordingly, a mere 6.0 percent of the consultants are expecting decreased demand in their own area of expertise, compared to 6.3 percent in the previous Barometer.

When it comes to their own sector, consultants have a direct business experience, and should therefore in fact be better informed.

Fees & Capacity

What is your, or your consultants' average hourly rate today?

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By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

< 30 €

0,0%

4,0%

0,0%

2,2%

30-49 €

1,0%

8,7%

1,2%

2,1%

50-69 €

6,1%

18,3%

3,1%

10,2%

70-89 €

23,2%

31,7%

4,3%

31,1%

90-109 €

31,3%

22,2%

22,1%

32,4%

110-129 €

15,2%

10,3%

36,8%

14,8%

130-149 €

11,1%

4,0%

19,6%

3,0%

> 150 €

12,1%

0,8%

12,9%

4,2%

By group

IT

Technology

Business development

< 30 €

2,7%

1,6%

1,0%

30-49 €

1,3%

4,8%

1,0%

50-69 €

9,7%

25,3%

2,2%

70-89 €

31,5%

37,2%

16,9%

90-109 €

33,7%

17,9%

30,6%

110-129 €

14,9%

8,0%

26,7%

130-149 €

4,1%

2,6%

7,6%

> 150 €

2,0%

2,6%

14,0%

Average hourly rates €/h

Euro per hour

All respondents

96,7

Denmark

116

Finland

84

Norway

122

Sweden

95

IT/Telecoms

93

Technology

84

Business development

115

In the past year 49 (45) percent of the consultants have successfully managed to increase their hourly rates. Another 23 (24) percent raised their rates the year before. The group with the lowest hourly rates, under 70 euro, amounts to 15 percent (16 percent). The average hourly rate is 97 euro, which is the same as in the last Barometer. The group comprising the most expensive consultants (above 150 euro an hour) now includes 5.2 percent of the respondents, compared to 4.6 percent in the 2017 Ework Barometer.

An indicator pointing in the same direction is that 90 (89) percent of the participants in the Barometer reports an increased or stable capacity utilization compared to 12 months ago. 75 (74) percent is satisfied with their workload, whereas 20 (21) percent would like to work more and 5.2 (5.4) percent say they have too much work.

When was the last rise in your average hourly rate?

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By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

During the last 12 months

39,6%

36,4%

47,8%

50,8%

1-2 years ago

23,8%

23,3%

19,7%

22,8%

2-3 years ago

17,8%

10,1%

13,5%

10,1%

3-5 years ago

3,0%

10,1%

7,9%

8,0%

More than 5 years ago

15,8%

20,2%

11,2%

8,4%

By group

IT / Telecoms

Technology

Business development

During the last 12 months

49,2%

50,6%

47,1%

1-2 years ago

22,5%

24,3%

20,3%

2-3 years ago

10,6%

10,4%

14,5%

3-5 years ago

7,7%

7,5%

8,8%

More than 5 years ago

10,0%

7,2%

9,3%

How do you think your hourly rate will develop in the next 12 months?

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

Decreases

5,7%

7,3%

2,2%

2,7%

Unchanged

44,3%

43,1%

48,9%

47,0%

Increases

36,8%

42,3%

45,7%

37,2%

Don't know

13,2%

7,3%

3,2%

13,1%

By group

IT / Telecoms

Technology

Business development

Decreases

2,8%

3,1%

2,6%

Unchanged

46,9%

43,0%

52,9%

Increases

37,5%

39,4%

35,4%

Don't know

12,8%

14,4%

9,1%

85 (84) percent of all respondents predict increased or unchanged hourly rates within the next 12 months, while 3.2 (5.1) percent expect their rates to reduce. 12 (11) percent doesn’t know how their hourly fees will develop.

Average capacity utilization

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

< 50 %

14,3%

19,7%

8,1%

6,0%

50-59 %

6,3%

8,2%

5,2%

3,8%

60-69 %

3,6%

3,4%

4,7%

2,2%

70-79 %

7,1%

6,1%

8,5%

6,6%

80-89 %

22,3%

19,0%

23,7%

25,7%

> 90 %

46,4%

43,5%

49,8%

55,8%

By group

IT

Technology

Business development

< 50 %

6,3%

5,6%

10,2%

50-59 %

2,8%

3,4%

7,1%

60-69 %

2,0%

1,1%

3,9%

70-79 %

5,2%

7,2%

8,2%

80-89 %

22,7%

29,1%

29,0%

> 90 %

61,0%

53,7%

41,6%

Are you satisfied with your average capacity utilization today?

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

Yes

64,9%

57,1%

71,5%

77,3%

No, it is too low

28,8%

36,1%

24,8%

17,7%

No, it is to high

6,3%

6,8%

3,7%

5,0%

By group

IT / Telecoms

Technology

Business development

Yes

80,6%

79,5%

66,0%

No, it is too low

13,6%

17,0%

27,2%

No, it is too high

5,8%

3,6%

6,9%

How does your current capacity utilization compare to 12 months ago?

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

Higher

21,7%

30,1%

21,5%

25,4%

Unchanged

66,2%

54,9%

55,2%

65,0%

Lower

12,1%

15,0%

23,3%

9,5%

By group

IT / Telecoms

Technology

Business development

Higher

22,6%

29,6%

28,0%

Unchanged

68,1%

60,5%

55,7%

Lower

9,4%

9,9%

16,3%

Competition

How do you anticipate the foreign competition to develop in the next 12 months?

Show numbers +

Foreign by country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

Decreases much

2,0%

0,0%

0,0%

0,7%

Decreases some

2,0%

3,3%

6,1

5,3

Unchanged

53,1%

51,2%

57,7%

63,2%

Increases some

33,7%

37,2%

29,5%

27,3%

Increases much

9,2%

8,3%

6,8%

3,6%

Foreign by group

IT

Technology

Business development

Decreases much

0,7%

0,3%

0,8%

Decreases some

6,2%

4,1%

4,9%

Unchanged

56,7%

60,4%

71,2%

Increases some

31,7%

29,6%

21,3%

Increases much

4,7%

5,6%

1,8%

Have you personally experienced competition from foreign consultants during the past 12 months?

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

Yes, on many occasions

16,2%

6,8%

9,9%

8,9%

Yes, on a few occasions

28,6%

28,6%

33,2%

21,7%

No, never

55,2%

64,7%

56,9%

69,4%

By group

IT

Technology

Business development

Yes, on many occasions

11,9%

8,0%

6,8%

Yes, on a few occasions

24,1%

24,3%

20,6%

No, never

64,0%

67,7%

72,7%

Among the respondents, 67 (65) percent have not experienced foreign competition during the past year. Still one third, 33 (32) percent, predicts that competition from abroad will grow within the next 12 months. 9.5 (11) percent have experienced foreign competition on numerous occasions, whereas 23 (24) percent has experienced it occasionally.

How do you anticipate the domestic competition to develop in the next 12 months?

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

Decreases much

1,0%

0,0%

1,2%

0,4%

Decreases some

2,0%

3,2%

6,1%

5,8%

Unchanged

60,6%

56,5%

59,4%

64,6%

Increases some

31,3%

33,9%

27,9%

26,9%

Increases much

5,1%

6,5%

5,5%

2,3%

By group

IT/Telecoms

Technology

Business development

Decreases much

0,2%

0,6%

0,3%

Decreases some

6,3%

6,4%

4,1%

Unchanged

65,2%

64,2%

63,0%

Increases some

25,8%

24,3%

30,6%

Increases much

2,5%

4,6%

2,0%

In the present study 30 (30) percent of the respondents expects a tougher domestic competition within the next 12 months, whereas 6.2 (6.7) percent expects the opposite, a decreased domestic competition.

Flexibility

How long are you prepared to spend travelling for an assignment each day?

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

< 1 hour

21,0%

26,5%

44,4%

36,7%

< 2 hours

54,3%

43,9%

42,1%

45,8%

< 3 hours

10,5%

14,4%

8,2%

9,6%

< 4 hours

6,7%

8,3%

1,2%

2,4%

> 4 hours

7,6%

6,8%

4,1%

5,6%

By group

IT/Telecoms

Technology

Business development

< 1 hour

38,0%

45,2%

26,0%

< 2 hours

47,4%

38,2%

48,5%

< 3 hours

9,3%

10,7%

12,2%

< 4 hours

2,2%

1,6%

3,1%

> 4 hours

3,2%

4,4%

10,3%

Looking at the flexibility of the consultants, they have become more selective. Of all respondents, 64 percent are willing to spend over 1 hour per day travelling for an assignment, compared to 66 percent in the previous Barometer. Also, fewer consultants accept overnight stays, 80 (83) percent, as well as assignments abroad, 64 (67) percent.

Are you willing to take on assignments involving regular overnight stays?

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

Yes, one or two overnight stays per month

34,9%

39,6%

41,0%

46,5%

Yes, one or two overnight stays per week

38,7%

25,4%

20,2%

21,4%

Yes, all week

18,9%

27,6%

19,1%

10,3%

No

7,6%

7,5%

19,7%

21,8%

By group

IT/Telecoms

Technology

Business development

Yes, one or two overnight stays per month

47,9%

40,1%

43,7%

Yes, one or two overnight stays per week

19,6%

19,4%

31,8%

Yes, all week

10,0%

14,1%

12,1%

No

22,5%

26,4%

12,4%

Are you willing to take on assignments abroad on a regular basis?

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

No

17,0%

24,8%

37,6%

38,7%

Yes, in my closest neighbouring country

11,3%

7,5%

2,9%

6,5%

Yes, anywhere in the Nordic region

8,5%

8,3%

10,4%

5,6%

Yes, in and outside the Nordic region

63,2%

59,4%

49,1%

49,2%

By group

IT/Telecoms

Technology

Business development

No

40,9%

42,0%

25,2%

Yes, in my closest neighbouring country

7,4%

7,1%

4,5%

Yes, anywhere in the Nordic region

5,4%

7,8%

5,0%

Yes, in and outside the Nordic region

46,3%

43,1%

65,3%

Location

How important is the digital workspace to you as a consultant?

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

Very important

56,2%

51,9%

61,2%

53,9%

Quite important

29,5%

25,2%

32,9%

31,3%

Unimportant

10,5%

14,5%

4,1%

9,0%

No experience

3,8%

8,4%

1,8%

4,8%

By group

IT/Telecoms

Technology

Business development

Very important

58,9%

48,3%

50,6%

Quite important

29,4%

35,2%

37,4%

Unimportant

7,9%

9,3%

9,7%

No experience

3,9%

7,2%

2,4%

As a consultant, can you manage your assignments remotely?

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

No, it's not possible

4,8%

3,9%

7,7%

12,6%

Yes, it's possible but doesn't happen

26,9%

14,7%

18,9%

24,2%

Yes, it happens to some extent

68,3%

81,4%

73,4%

63,2%

By group

IT/Telecoms

Technology

Business development

No, it's not possible

11,1%

14,2%

11,9%

Yes, it's possible but doesn't happen

26,2%

26,0%

16,2%

Yes, it happens to some extent

62,8%

59,8%

71,9%

How much of your work is being done remotely?

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

0%

32,7%

18,9%

27,4%

37,4%

1-5%

12,9%

8,7%

10,4%

8,8%

6-10%

15,8%

9,5%

15,9%

12,1%

11-20%

9,9%

20,5%

20,7%

14,8%

21-30%

9,9%

11,0%

8,5%

6,4%

31-40%

4,0%

4,7%

5,5%

3,9%

41-50%

5,9%

8,7%

5,5%

5,9%

>50%

8,9%

18,1%

6,1%

10,8%

By group

IT/Telecoms

Technology

Business development

0%

37,6%

40,6%

28,6%

1-5%

9,5%

10,4%

5,8%

6-10%

12,6%

13,1%

12,6%

11-20%

15,6%

12,5%

17,9%

21-30%

5,7%

4,6%

10,7%

31-40%

3,9%

2,5%

4,8%

41-50%

4,7%

4,4%

10,4%

>50%

10,4%

12,0%

9,2%

Compared to today, from where would you like to work from in the future?

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

I would like to work less remotely

5,8%

2,3%

6,0%

2,2%

I'm happy working as I am today

64,4%

48,8%

64,9%

53,3%

I would like to work more remotely

29,8%

48,8%

29,2%

44,5%

By group

IT/Telecoms

Technology

Business development

I would like to work less remotely

2,8%

3,0%

2,6%

I'm happy working as I am today

50,6%

58,3%

57,9%

I would like to work more remotely

46,7%

38,7%

39,5%

More and more industries have embraced remote-friendly workplace practices. The survey shows that 89 percent of the respondents have the possibility to manage assignments remotely, of which 65 percent do.

In average 20 percent of the work made by the consultants is done remotely.

Drivers

The 3 most important aspects for me as a consultant are the ability to...

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

Work on interesting and stimulating assignments

2,07%

2,07%

2,11%

2,16%

Have control over how much I work

0,73%

0,45%

0,56%

0,88%

Have control over how much I earn

0,86%

0,70%

0,49%

0,55%

Have control over where I work

0,43%

0,16%

0,30%

0,48%

Reduce my administrative burden

0,01%

0,04%

0,15%

0,05%

Network with industry colleagues

0,18%

0,21%

0,23%

0,10%

Get help to increase capacity utilization

0,16%

0,25%

0,11%

0,13%

Work on profitable assignments

0,44%

0,91%

0,43%

0,34%

Get a good work/life balance

0,44%

0,37%

0,65%

0,62%

Get help to develop new business

0,27%

0,49%

0,26%

0,23%

Get the opportunity for skills development

0,41%

0,35%

0,72%

0,47%

By group

IT/Telecoms

Technology

Business development

Work on interesting and stimulating assignments

2,10%

2,12%

2,30%

Have control over how much I work

0,79%

0,69%

0,85%

Have control over how much I earn

0,64%

0,50%

0,48%

Have control over where I work

0,46%

0,51%

0,35%

Reduce my administrative burden

0,05%

0,05%

0,05%

Network with industry colleagues

0,12%

0,17%

0,09%

Get help to increase capacity utilization

0,12%

0,13%

0,21%

Work on profitable assignments

0,40%

0,37%

0,40%

Get a good work/life balance

0,61%

0,73%

0,53%

Get help to develop new business

0,23%

0,24%

0,30%

Get the opportunity for skills development

0,49%

0,54%

0,44%

The respondents were asked to rank the top-three aspects of the consultancy profession that they valued the most. The results were then converted into average ratings.

The highest valued aspect of working as a consultant is, once again, “to work on interesting and stimulating assignments", which received an average rating of 2.14 (2.11) of a total of 3.

The second most important aspect is " to have control over how much I work”, whereas “to get a good work/life balance” ranks in as number three.

The Role of the Consultant Broker

How important are consultant brokers for your assignments?

Show numbers +

By country

Denmark

Finland

Norway

Sweden

Very important

32,7%

25,2%

19,2%

22,9%

Quite important

34,6%

33,9%

41,3%

33,7%

Unimportant

20,2%

26,0%

26,4%

25,6%

No experience

12,5%

15,0%

13,2%

17,8%

By group

IT/Telecommunications

Technology

Business development

Very important

28,2%

13,6%

21,7%

Quite important

34,2%

30,4%

37,4%

Unimportant

22,1%

30,4%

28,9%

No experience

15,5%

25,8%

12,1%

Comments

Of all respondents, 57 (56) percent feel that consultant brokers are quite or very important for their assignments. In this survey, 66 (64) percent have had personal experience of consultant brokers helping them to get an assignment. When asked in which areas a consultant broker is most useful, the top-three answers were “help to work interesting and stimulating assignments”, “help to develop new business” and “help to increase capacity utilization”.

Questions?

For questions or comments concerning this report, please contact:
Zoran Covic, President and CEO.